Published: 16:20 BST, 22 August 2026 | Updated: 16:38 BST, 22 August 2026
More than 2,000 robots have gathered for the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China, today.
The second edition of the event, which will last five days, is being held at the National Speed Skating Oval in the nation's capital until August 26.
A record-breaking 2,056 robots have been registered by 666 teams to compete at the games which got underway after an opening ceremony and some sports events.
Although 96 per cent of the teams entering the games are Chinese, 16 countries from six continents will take part in the 1,301 matches.
The games include competitions modelled on human sports as well as task-based events some of which require fully autonomous robots.
World Humanoid Robot Games officials will award independent robots full points but semi-autonomous bots will only receive half points.
Out of the 50 events scheduled, 30 are sports competitions while the remaining 20 are work scenario tasks.
Sports-based events include weightlifting, gymnastics, football and even a tug of war. There are also 11 Olympic-style track and field events.
Humanoid robots pictured before the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games opening ceremony
Three humanoid robots running in the the 100m race during the events opening ceremony
A Galbot humanoid robot dives for the ball during a demonstration of a tennis match on August 22
The 20 work-based tasks involve dextrous hand challenges such as bricklaying, power tool assembling and package handling.
It is understood that the work competitions act as an opportunity to show where humanoid robots will first be commercially used.
However, no events in the 2026 edition of the games will include stairs, ladders, uneven terrain or human-robot collaborations.